The Freedom of Baladi Dance with Alexandre Paulikevitch

It was one of those beautiful nights in Beirut were I found myself sitting at a table with new friends sharing stories, teaching each other about the world, and finding humor in unexpected places.  And even after a long day of teaching and rehearsing, Alexandre Paulikevitch is a natural at all these things.  As we sat around the table of the outdoor cafe he talked about projects he's working on and the challenges that keep coming his way, and after several minutes of conversation he looked at me and my portable recorder and said "OK Mark, I understand what you're doing and what kind of conversations you are seeking." A clear and reassuring statement I wish I would tell myself every now and then.